Government ups travel 'advisory' to 'warning' for Thailand

OTTAWA - From "travel with care" to "don't travel at all," Canada has upped its Thailand travel advisory to a travel warning because of escalating political unrest there that has left people injured and dead.

Canadians currently in the Southeast Asian country should exercise "extreme caution" and be prepared to "stay indoors," the government has also warned.

The Department of Foreign Affairs upgraded its earlier advisory to the Kingdom of Thailand Wednesday, warning all "non-essential" travel to the country should be avoided.

Large-scale and violent political demonstrations have plagued Bangkok - the capital city - for seven weeks, with thousands of red-shirted protesters calling for the country's Prime Minister to step down and call a new election.

A clash between protesters and the army left another protester dead Wednesday, and violence by both the protesters and military have been increasing.

"Since March 2010, dozens of grenade attacks and other explosions have occurred, some of which have caused injuries at locations including government and military installations, protest gatherings, public banks, and key power infrastructure and fuel storage facilities," the travel warning from Foreign Affairs reads. "The security situation is very volatile with significant potential for further civil unrest, violent clashes, and attacks.

"Canadians currently in Thailand should avoid all non-essential movement, exercise extreme caution, follow the advice of local authorities, closely monitor local media, and, if violence erupts, remain indoors."

The Canadian embassy in Thailand is monitoring the situation, according to Foreign Affairs, and Canadians in Thailand are encouraged to check the Foreign Affairs website for updates.